* Emmy Awards
2009 Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for: Relative Stranger
1999 Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for: A Lesson Before Dying
1995 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for: "Sweet Justice"
1994 Won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for: Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All
1982 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special for: "The Marva Collins Story"
1978 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for: "King"
1977 Nominated Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series for: "Roots"
1974 Won Actress of the Year - Special for: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
1974 Won Best Lead Actress in a Drama for: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

* Image Awards
2010 Nominated Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for: Relative Stranger
2006 Won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for: Diary of a Mad Black Woman
2000 Nominated Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special for: A Lesson Before Dying
1999 Won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series for: Mama Flora's Family
1998 Nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for: Hoodlum
1997 Won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series for: The Road to Galveston
1996 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for: "Sweet Justice"
1988 Won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie for: Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story
1982 Won Best Performance by an Actress in a Dramatic Series or Miniseries or Television Movie for: "The Marva Collins Story"

* Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
1973 Won Best Actress for: Sounder

* Lone Star Film & Television Awards
1996 Won Best TV Actress for: The Road to Galveston